And Guy Ritchie Wants Nothing

When you are immensely wealthy it is sometimes difficult to tell why the people outside your family are drawn to you.

Because most of them are drawn to you because of your wealth. And it does not matter how you happen to come by all that wealth. You could suddenly inherit it, win the lotto, or earn it through hard work. Once people know you have it, they will find a way to find you, it’s happened. So recently, when it was noted that Madonna’s soon to be ex husband, Guy Ritchie stated he wanted nothing from the divorce settlement with the ‘Material Girl,’ I was surprised.

Why? Because usually, most people, whether or not they entered a marriage with their own money, want something with a monetary value from the other person.

Or as one of my high school teachers put it when I told her I was missing something valuable from my belongings: ‘Some people want souvenirs.’

I commend Mr. Guy Ritchie for not wanting any of Madonna’s money. Especially when nowadays it seems as though being divorced from a wealthy person is looked upon as a way for the other party to obtain what he/she thinks is theirs.

On a personal note, I have never been married, but if I were to marry a wealthy person and that marriage ended in a divorce, I would want to walk away with none of that person’s wealth.

Because maybe what initially drew me to that person had nothing to do with their money. It could have been the way they talk, laugh, the way they made me laugh, the happy uplifting way I felt when I was around them etc…

No Gold digger here.

Chrono Trigger Time Travels From The 90s SNES To The 21st Century Nintendo DS

It seems as though time travel has fascinated mankind since the concept entered the atmosphere. And if you asked most people what they would do if they could travel back and forth in time, most might say they want to eliminate some bad person or not have a certain event or situation take place.

And when I played Chrono Trigger on the SNES in the mid nineties, I was also fascinated that the main character you were in charge of, Chrono, could travel back and forth in time to rescue other in game characters, defeat vile monsters and so on.

Then came Crono Cross for the Playstation. Again, your main character, Crono was able to travel back and forth to set things right with his world in this CD based adventure.

And after I played that particular game, I was left wanting more. But since no more Chrono Cross/Trigger games were made, I moved on.

But now comes a remake of Chrono Trigger for the Nintendo DS. Although it’s more or less the same game as the SNES version, I can’t wait to play it as it also promises to have a new ending with Crono, the Frog and Marie, and it’s portable.

You no longer have to be confined to your room or your living/entertainment room in order to play this Nintendo DS version.

Due to be released next Tuesday, (November 25th 2008) now you can take Crono, Lucca and the rest of the group with you as you travel back and forth in time with Crono and help him defeat monsters and rescue his friends and so on.

What’s more? It’s an RPG and will be a great addition to your collection if you are a lover of RPG video games. I can’t wait for it’s release next week, can you?

Animal Crossing City Folk Makes It To The Nintendo Wii

While I played Animal Crossing Wild World on the Nintendo DS, I was so intrigued by it, that after paying off that mortgage to Mr. Nook and decorating my in game house the way I wanted it, I was left yearning for more.

So you can imagine how high my enthusiasm level must have been when Animal Crossing City Folk for the Nintendo Wii came out.

Set in real time like the Nintendo DS version, you still have to do all the initial things you have to do before you actually start playing the game. Like you still have to meet Mr. Nook, work for him for a while to get your mortgage payments going and speak to everyone in town.

And the good folks at Nintendo sort of reward you if you have been playing the Nintendo DS version. For in the Wii version, Animal Crossing City Folk, you have a DS Suitcase option that lets you choose items you like from Animal Crossing Wild World.

For example, you can get certain pieces of clothing you are fond of, like a shirt, or cap or even furniture from your DS home.

Another unique aspect of the Wii game: Animal Crossing City Folk is, you get to take your character to the city. And you do so by boarding a bus, but once you are in the city, there are lots of fun things to do.

You can go and have your hair done at Shampoodle or get a makeover. Or get both. Your choice. Also there is an Auction House where you can sell some of your stuff and buy more things from other in game characters.

When you buy items from other characters, these items will come to you via mail. So you don’t have to panic, if, after purchasing an item, it does not automatically show up in your inventory.

In addition, there is also a movie theatre or cinema where you can meet and talk to other characters. And wait until you connect your Wii speak microphone.

This operates as stated, like a microphone that lets you chat with other people who are playing Animal Crossing City Folk, such as your friends or relatives. You can connect this device via a USB port that works with an internet connection.

Also, do you remember Gracie from the DS version? She comes to Animal Crossing Wild World on certain days, but in the Wii, Animal Crossing City Folk game, you get to go to her store to stock up on her high priced line of clothing while you are in the city.

Keeping in mind that the game is being played in real time, remember, clothes are seasonal, you will see rain, or snow and there are things you can do during the day you might not be able to do if you say, play the game at night.

You can fish day and night, but can talk to most of your neighbours in the daytime. As they might be asleep or getting ready for bed at night.

In case you were wondering, yes, you do get to use familiar items like: the shovel, slingshot, fishing rod, etc. and there is a bank in the city where you can store your ‘Bells’ or money.

And while you are playing Animal Crossing City Folk, be prepared for: plenty of dialogue, crisp and clear graphics and sound effects, you might have to write an in game letter or two, don’t forget to visit the city museum, but most of all, I hope you have as much fun playing this Wii offering as much as I have and I am in the process of still enjoying.

RATED E FOR EVERYONE. And can be addicting.

Why Was Proposition 8 Such An Issue

I did not know what to write about today. I just sat here in front of my computer, must have subconsciously opened the Word program and glanced every once in a while at the page before me.

But I did think about  one  pertinent item.  Like why Proposition 8 was such an issue. Most gays/lesbians do not hurt or bother anyone.

In fact, most of them are  quite pleasant, have good jobs, make great contributions to charitable causes and deserve to be here just as much as any straight person does.

And I can imagine what you must be wondering at this point. Do they deserve to have the legal right to marry their mate just like a straight person does.

From what I have observed, most gay/lesbian relationships have staying power. Sure, they may have concerns like: jealousy, envy, possessiveness and other romantic relationship problems most straight people have.

So why not also let them have the legal right to want to be together. Some of them have been in the same relationship with the same partner for ten years or more. The only thing missing? That document that makes their union  one that’s legally binding.

And maybe being legally wedded to one’s gay/lesbian partner might not happen in our lifetime, but if and when it does in another, I hope someday, someone can look back at all of this and  observe how far we have come from the day when someone wanted to hurt, maim,  banish you from this world  or not want you to be legally married to your  mate,   just because you were gay.

About Those Unisex Names

Names are like oxygen. We all need them. Without them people would not know what to call us or how to identify with us. Men have an advantage here.

They do not have to hyphenate their last names in order to keep their father’s/adopted parent’s or guardian’s last name. But married women do if they want to retain their maiden name, then there is the matter of all those unisex names that have entered the names’ database.

Names such as: Dana, Taylor, Alex, Chris come to mind here, just to name a few. But for the sake of brevity, I will focus on the first two as examples.

In the 90s’ series, The Xfiles, Dana Scully was the character played by Gillian Anderson. In real life there is the comedian, Dana Carvey, who is a man.

In the eighties, female pop music sensation, Taylor Dayne gave us hits such as: Tell It To My Heart, Don’t Rush Me and others. And I think you are aware of the number of males who have the name Taylor as their first name.

Now, don’t get me wrong here, I do not have a problem with women who have a masculine sounding name as a first name.

But what does bother me sometimes is when you receive an email from someone who happens to have one of these unisex names.

How do you, the email recepient go about finding out the gender of such an individual without asking something embarrassing like: Excuse me, but are you male or female?

And say you really try to find out this person’s gender by googling him/her and nothing you find there gives you a satisfying solution to your little dilemna.

Do you go about communicating with this person as if you think he/she is a male? Or do you ask, at the possible risk of having that person take offense at your question and not hearing from him/her again by asking, are you male or female?

This is not complicated. But if there is no other way to know, you may just have to ask in order to save yourself precious time and energy pondering the matter, or googling one Taylor, Dana, Chris or Alex when there are hundreds of Taylors, Danas, Chris’ and Alexes out there.

Body Found Near Paula Abdul’s Home

When one of my friends tells me he/she feels as though he/she has or has had a secret admirer, such information is usually absorbed in a lighthearted manner. So lighthearted, that we laugh it off and move on.

Because secret admirers are just that, a secret. These as you all know are individuals who admire their ‘interests’ from a safe distance.

And usually, in time, the infatuation or crush wears off and said admirer moves on. Stalkers on the other hand, are much more aggressive.

These persons will go out of their way to find out where their ‘interests’ reside, follow them around, maybe even call them and hang up without uttering a word and so on.

They, the stalkers make the secret admirers seem safe in comparison. And recently when it was learned that the body of a suspected Paula Abdul stalker was found close to her house, I paused for a moment.

Paused to wonder how seriously some alleged stalkers can take their admiration of their ‘interest.’ I am not aware of whether or not I have ever had a real secret admirer or a stalker, but since I am a fan of her music, ‘Straight Up,’ ‘Cold Hearted ,’ ‘Rush Rush,’ and other songs, I hope Paula Abdul is coping with the situation of her alleged stalker’s situation the best she can.

Why I Am Proud To Be An Indian By Gandhian Scholar: Dr. Ravindra Kumar

I am proud being an Indian. But for what reason? Is it for the simple reason that I am a creation of the Indian soil? Or, is it for the reason that the Indian soil upbrings me? Certainly not for these reasons only. Someone else can take pride in being an Indian for these reasons, but the reason of my pride is that my country, India, makes Sahishnuta [forbearance], Sahansheelta [tolerance] and Sarvabhaumik Swikriti [universal acceptance] the basis of identity of its inhabitants. Furthermore, I am proud being an Indian because Ahimsa [non-violence] in its perfect state is accepted as the supreme value in day-to-day living here.

It is evident that forbearance, tolerance and universal acceptance, along with Ahimsa, are the parts and parcels of the lives of the Indians. On the strength of these values India accorded refuge to all those who became the subject of atrocities and were oppressed in their own respective continents or countries. Without any cast, creed, colour, gender or religion-based discrimination, India adopted all those who reached to its land for the purpose of taking shelter. This is, in fact, the Indian Way, established centuries before. This is foremostly the subject of pride for me and lacs of other like minded people.

I am proud being an Indian because my country granted refuge to those Jews who became victims of atrocities of the Romans and after the destruction of their holy place of worship by them reached the Indian soil for shelter. They not only got refuse here for ever, but also the permission of earning their livelihood. Deprived of freedom in their own motherland of Iran, Zoroastrians [Parsis], the followers of Spitama Zoroaster, who conveyed the great message of monotheism, when reached India to take refuge, Indians accepted them with joy. It is a long list of such refugees. The names of several human-groups and tribes are there in that list, who attracted by the sweet-smelling of the Indian soil, reached here from time-to-time during the last four thousand years.

I am proud being an Indian because the Dravidians, the Aryans, the Shakas, the Kushanas, and the Hunas are the inhabitants of India. The Greeks, the Europeans, the Mongols [including the Moghuls], the Tatars, the Turks and the Arabs are on the Indian soil. The blood developed in all continents of the world flows in the veins of India. How pleasant combination is it that people come from all continents in India and stay here with pride? They try to convert themselves to become Indians and to follow the Way of India.

I am proud being an Indian because not only so-called high families-born great men, sages and saints have added to the honour and pride of the country, but the so-called low families-born Maharshi Valmiki, Saint Ravidas, Mahatma Kabir and Sain too have added to India’s honour; they too have contributed towards the glorification of the country. Furthermore, they have also filled their compatriots with ethical values, morality and dutifulness in great measures. Like Brahmin-class born Vashishtha or Kshatriya-class born Vishwamitra, Mahavira, Gautama Buddha and Nanak, Dravidian Rishi Tiruvallur has also added to the honour of the nation through his great message for humanity. Moreover, so-called Shudra-family born Saint Tukaram is not the least than any of his contemporary so-called high-class born saints and sages. In every age virtuous people were born to accord proper knowledge of dharma and also to convey the true message of the Indian Way. Doubtlessly, they go forward for the welfare of all-high or low, they purified the soil of the country and became the voice of India.

I am also proud being an Indian because seeds of democracy have been in existence in social, political and economic structure of the country since ancient times. The large-scaled interest of people has been in the centre at the time of taking decisions. Mutual discussion, harmony and cooperation have been the basis of implementation of decisions. India is the largest democracy of the world. Democracy builds the political structure of the country. Freedom, one of the fundamentals of democracy, is the ornament of citizens of India. Everyone has the right to speech here. In this regard India is not behind any of the democratic nations of the world. It is India that allowed Late Benazir Bhutto to present the case related to civil liberties of her compatriots on its land. It is India that provided opportunity to Asma Jahangir of Pakistan to obtain support and cooperation on the question of human rights violation in her country. It is India that accords freedom of speech to Taslima Nasrin-a social writer of Bangladesh. Whole world knows that Dalai Lama is staying in India for decades and from the Indian soil he struggles for the freedom and rights of the Tibetans. In spite of displeasure of mighty China, Indians extend their support to him. Pro-democracy leader of Burma [Myanmar], Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently under house arrest in her own country, receives people’s support in India. Hundreds of her supporters stay in India and from here they struggle for the restoration of democratic set up in their homeland.

I am also proud being an Indian because all those scholars, who influenced by cultural heritage of India reached from time-to-time to its land, got due respect and honour. Whether it was Megasthenese [350-290 B. C.], or Fa-hien, Hieun Tsang [603-664] or I-Tsing or anyone else, the Indian Way and thinking attracted them all. After accomplishing their tasks of gaining knowledge and particularly collecting valuable information of instincts of Indians, they reached back to their native countries with never forgettable memories. India proved to be the greatest centre of knowledge and spiritualism for all of them. They all accepted Hindustan to be the Jnanaguru and spiritual leader of the world.

Being an Indian my pride increases when I find that a pilgrim of the Indian Way Moghul emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar is accepted as an ideal in this country; Annie Basant is elected the President of the Indian National Congress; Mecca-born Abul Kalam Azad, in presence of stalwarts like Gandhi, Lajpat Rai, Motilal Nehru and Chitta Ranjan Das, is nominated to preside over the Congress session at the age of 35 years; Mountbatten holds the post of the Governor-General of India even after its independence from Great Britain.

Being an Indian my pride multiplies when I meet the reality of inhabitance of followers of almost all chief religious-communities of the world on India’s soil. They are secure here. They get cooperation of true followers of the Indian Way at the time of distress. It may be a question mark in any other country of the world on the existence of followers of any particular religious-community, but in India all along with their chosen faiths and beliefs are safe. Four of the major religious-communities of the world-Hindu [Vedic], Jain, Boddh and Sikh-have been established or developed in India and doubtlessly they are safe here. Four of them-Jews, Zoroastrian, Christian and Islam-have been established in Arab or the Middle-East Asia. The followers of all of them too are in the bosom of Mother India and they are also safe here. Two religious-communities-Confucian and Taoism-have been established in China and followers of both of them, along with the followers of Shintoism-a Japanese-born religious-community, have all possibilities for them in India. Moreover, the followers of newly born community of Bahais are also safe and sound in India.

Being an Indian it is also a reason of increase in my pride that centuries before human-divinity was made the basis of the principle of national and universal acceptance in India. The source of all around visible peculiarity is the human-divinity. Therefore, human beings have been accorded supreme in the creation. Everyone, no matter to what particular religious-community or class he belongs, is equally revealer of divinity. And it is the result of this very recognition that on the basis of his or her religious-community, creed, colour or class not a single human being from any part of the globe has been denied entry to this land. All got opportunities for their progress and welfare. This great and unique principle has given such an extension to the glory of India that one of my European friends, like a honey-bee, desires to take a seat on deep-rooted, juicy and prosperous tree like India. Influenced by Indian chivalry, harmony and hospitality she desires to come to this land time and again. Is it the least to add to my pride being an Indian? No, it is enough to do so. Furthermore, she is convinced by the Indian way. She praises for this way and going deep to this way rejoices and feels rich.

Thus, on the whole, I can say in brief that the reason of my pride being an Indian is the Way of India and its chief features which I have mentioned about. It is possible that many may not agree to my brief opinion about the Indian Way. In practice they may perceive something different from my views. But, the true Indian Way is the one which I have discussed about. Certainly that way is not a narrow or restricted one. That is full of comprehensiveness. That is a harmonious one. That is the nurturer of the basic culture of this country. That is devoid of any discrimination. Isolation, detachment, discrimination, fundamentalism and narrowness have no place in the true Indian Way or the vision. If someone tries to connect it with any of them, he, doubtlessly goes against this way. In other words I can say that such a one is not a true Indian. He is selfish, and in spite of hiding him in the shadow of Indianness, he does not follow its way and vision.

Things I Observed On The ‘08 Presidential Elections Campaign Trail

This past 2008 US presidential elections seemed to have lasted a long time. And maybe it seemed so because along the way, things happened.

Maybe too many to recall or mention here, but these are a few of the more memorable ones I have been able to observe.

People who are not too much on the religious side of life, and who never heard of Jeremiah Wright, found out who he is, what church he preached at, and which of the candidates was a member of that church for about twenty years.

I have not set foot in any major preacher’s or evangelist’s church, but it would not take me twenty something years to suddenly realize that that preacher’s or evangelist’s viewpoints or rhetoric is not to my liking.

Clinton haters came out in droves to denigrate, harshly criticize and demonize the Clintons. And at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, it seemed as though Mr. And Mrs. Clinton were told: ‘You’d better go out there and say what we want you to say or else…’

I don’t know if Joe  The Plumber or Sarah Palin’s life will ever be the same, but one thing I did notice was that, Palin haters were acting as if Alaska was some foreign nation.

I don’t know who or what they wanted her to speak like, but to me, Sarah Palin  sounded like an American.

I thought it was a sad day for America when women were swooning at some of  the Obama rallies. It was as if they had never seen a man before.

When Mrs. Obama observed what a heavy impact her husband was having on the campaign trail, she said for the first time in her life she was proud to be an American.

In the end, it seemed as though Mr. Obama’s victory was a victory for dark skinned people or Blacks everywhere on the planet.

People from those foreign countries who don’t know anything at all about American Politics loved Mr. Obama instantly for whatever reason.

For they all stayed up late on election night to see who won. It was almost as if it was an NBA championship or Superbowl game.

Especially if you observed the way such people were cheering and carrying on.

And I hope the President Elect Barack Obama, who was in the senate for three or four years, never governed a state or was mayor of a town or city does not disappoint all those people who love him, adore him and want to swoon when they hear his name or see his face on the tele.

It should be an interesting four years. We will see, won’t we?

It’s The Electoral College Votes That Count, Really

In most democratic countries of the world, the politician who wins the popular vote wins the contest. But in the US, it’s not that simple. Because here, while winning the popular vote is one thing, there is still the matter of the Electoral College votes.

And it all comes down to which candidate nabs 270 of those Electoral College votes first. Talk about a race against time. Because the candidate who is winning the popular vote may be doing just that, winning the popular vote.

But what if his/her opponent is ahead in the Electoral College Votes? It might make the process seem unfair, but that’s the way it goes. As far as the Electoral College is concerned anyway.

In an election year that saw more voter turn out than previous presidential election years, one might expect the candidate with the popular vote to obtain the Electoral College Votes he needs to win the presidency, Right? What if the candidate who is not winning the popular vote ends up with the amount of Electoral College Votes needed to secure a victory?

Should someone dare utter the word, ‘upset?’

Oh, and if no candidate nabs 270 Electoral College Votes, then the House of Representatives holds a meeting and chooses the next president.

Vote. Be safe. And may you get the president you wanted.

Millionheir for the Nintendo DS

If reading mystery novels, and watching crime dramas is to your liking, then you will like this offering the good folks at Nintendo have come up with. It’s the Millionheir game for the Nintendo DS.

In it you play a detective either in the Rookie mode or the Detective one as you go in search of millionaire, Mr. Phil T. Rich. Pun probably intended there with the character’s name.

Anyway, in the Rookie mode there is no timer to fuss over. You play, find clues through a point and click system with the stylus, interrogate eccentric suspects who might all seem to have a motive for wanting to make Mr. Phil T. Rich disappear with crisp and clear graphics for you to work.

Broken down into a total of ten chapters, the game itself surprised me by being so unique. There is even a chapter in which you have to sift out an heir’s DNA and match fingerprints.

And if you really want to put your detective skills to work here, you can play as the Detective with a timer and just spot those clues as fast as your eyes can see them. If you manage to complete the game in this mode, it unlocks certain levels. And there are clues in abundance. Now you may have a total of say, twenty five clues to find in one chapter.

But that is broken down into snapshots. One snapshot might contain ten clues, another might contain eight and so on. And along the way, you find certain useful items that aid your quest.

There is a flashlight, for which you may have to find batteries for later on, a magnifying glass, an X-Ray detector, goggles and the trusty stylus in case you have to connect two or three things together. And of course, the stylus is also used for touching the clue or item you find.

I enjoyed playing this game so much than when it was over, it left me wanting to go to another chapter to search for more clues. So if playing detective is your thing, then this is one Nintendo DS game that puts you in the detective’s seat and you should have in your video game library.

It’s great, fun and can be addicting.

Rated E for Everyone.